by Ashlyn Chase
The other students scurried out of the way.
Bubba grabbed his fist and sucked in a deep breath between his teeth.
John strolled to the phone on the wall and dialed 911 as if he did it every day.
Bubba then shook out his bloody hand.
Konrad said, “We really should take this outside, if you insist on fighting.”
“Oh, I insist.” He ran at Konrad like a football player making a tackle.
Konrad went down with a thud as everyone cleared out from behind the bar. The two fighters rolled back and forth, fists flying.
“Stop!” Roz yelled.
Sirens sounded from far away but were drawing closer.
Konrad finally flipped the guy over and pinned him.
“Now, I don’t think you want to get arrested any more than I do. Let’s stop this foolishness right now.”
“Okay, okay,” Bubba said, seeming conciliatory.
As soon as Konrad let him up, Bubba threw a wicked punch, and Roz thought she heard something crunch. She cried out, and Konrad fell like tree. Bubba jumped over the bar and ran down the stairs, disappearing into the night.
Chapter 9
Konrad rubbed his chin as Roz jammed her hands on her hips and argued with the cop. “It was not his fault. You should have seen the other guy; I swear he was psychotic.”
The cop jotted something down on a small pad of paper.
Konrad suspected the guy’s problem wasn’t psychosis, or if it was, could it possibly be due to rabies? Bubba might have recognized a rival pack member. Correction, former rival pack member. The idiot’s eyes had glowed as if he’d wanted to shift, but resisted, thank God. Konrad figured he was the only one who noticed it.
“Being psychotic doesn’t give anyone the right to bust up a bar.” The cop faced Konrad. “Are you going to come along quietly, or do I need to call for backup?”
“Call anyone you want. I’ve already agreed to pay for damages, and an eyewitness who happens to be a lawyer just told you, I was acting in self-defense and averting a threat to her.”
The cop turned to Roz. “You’re a lawyer?”
“Yes, a defense attorney and a good one. You’d be wasting the court’s time, officer.”
Fortunately the other eyewitnesses had nothing to say. Konrad was afraid Chastity would open her big mouth and add to the problem.
The cop narrowed his eyes and stared at the rest of the group. “Did anybody else see what happened?”
“We all did,” John said.
“Did anyone see something different?”
The other students shook their heads.
John sighed. “The other man was definitely the instigator. I have his application in the back and can get you his contact information.”
“I doubt he’ll go home and wait to be arrested,” Konrad said. His jaw still ached, but not nearly as much as it would have hurt a human. Knowing that he’d heal faster, because werewolves do, he’d need to milk it a bit.
The cop continued to talk to John. “Do you want to press charges?”
He shook his head. “I guess not. This man has already offered to replace the bottles and glasses that broke. There isn’t much more damage, and I don’t want the bad publicity.”
He turned back to Konrad and Roz. “What about you two? Do either of you want to press charges?”
Konrad said, “No.”
At the same time, Roz said, “Hell, yes.”
Konrad rested a hand on Roz’s shoulder. “Can I talk to you outside for a moment?”
“Uh, sure.”
The cop stuffed his pad of paper and pen back in his pocket. “I’ll go with you.”
***
As soon as he and Roz reached the parking lot, Konrad looked at her with such intensity it made her uncomfortable.
“Look, I know how you feel about scumbags getting off when they’re guilty as sin, but I think this will be a waste of time.”
Not willing to let him intimidate her, she leaned forward with her hands on her hips. “Why are you suddenly a paper tiger?”
The cop cleared his throat. “I’m still here.”
“It’s okay,” Roz said. “He’s not so macho that I can’t speak my mind.”
“I believe your boyfriend said the guy wouldn’t go home and wait to be arrested. He’s probably right.”
The idea of simply giving up and letting the jerk win rankled her. “The guy may not have gone straight home, but he has to go there eventually.”
Konrad gently held her shoulders. “I just don’t think it’s worth it.”
For crying out loud. Is Konrad afraid of him? What about other innocent people? Aren’t they worth protecting? “It could have been worse,” she said. “Do you want him to pull that somewhere else?”
Konrad’s lips thinned.
The cop added, “Look, all you need to do is fill out a complaint. We can take it from there.”
“What does that entail?” Konrad asked.
“You fill out a form at the station, and we’ll pay him a visit. He’d be told the nature of the complaint, and if, like your girlfriend said, he seems psychotic, we can get him the help he needs.”
“Hmm…” Konrad rubbed his chin.
Roz had noticed the same behavior trait whenever he was deep in thought. Good. At least he’s considering it.
“Will you share with him who made the complaint?” Konrad asked.
“We don’t have to, if you’d rather we didn’t.”
“In that case, go ahead.” He turned to Roz. “Since you’re the one who wants them to pursue it, would you mind filling out the form? I’d rather not get involved.”
“Why are you shying away from this? You don’t seem like the type to be easily intimidated.”
When he didn’t answer her, she figured that either he didn’t hear the question or was ignoring her. Either way, she had to make a decision. “Sure, why not? Do I have to come down to the station, officer? Can’t I give you the information here?”
“I suppose so. I can take down what you want to say and type it up later. What’s more paperwork?”
Sarcastic much?
The cop headed back upstairs toward the school. “I’ll go get the guy’s contact information. Wait right there.”
As soon as he left, Konrad edged toward the street. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get home and put some ice on my jaw and take some aspirin. I can catch the subway from here.”
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t realize you were still in pain.”
“Yeah, well, you may be able to read my mind, but you can’t feel my pain.”
I have no idea what’s going on in his head right now, and I wish I did. “Yeah, sure. Whatever you need to do,” she said.
He jogged across the parking lot, and she called after him, “You may be off the hook as far as the police are concerned, but I still have some questions.” Hmm…not even a kiss goodbye. It’s like he couldn’t wait to get out of here.
***
Konrad was relaxing in his living room, trying to reread one of his favorite books, but noises from the apartment upstairs distracted him.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.
What is that? Sounds like a conga line. “I liked it better when it was just Chad up there. No noise whatsoever.” Konrad rose from his chair and stared at the ceiling. “Or maybe that is Chad? I wonder if he’s trying to get somebody’s attention.”
If Joe and the witches weren’t home, Konrad would probably be the only one to hear him. Or Dottie…oh crap. If Dottie hears the noise, she’ll pitch a fit.
He sighed. “I’d better get up there and see what’s going on.”
Konrad took the stairs two at a time. When he arrived at the door to apartment 3A, he knocked loudly. The noise stopped. He waited another moment or two, and when the noise didn’t resume, he started down the stairs.
Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump.
“What the?” He jogged back up to the door and banged on it again. “What
the hell is going on in there? Chad? Are you trying to communicate with someone?”
The noise stopped again. Konrad sighed. He’d have to come up with some way to talk to Chad. One thump for yes and two for no?
As he was deliberating, the door opened a crack, and Joe peered out at him.
“Oh, hey, Joe. I didn’t know you were home. What was that racket? I thought Chad was trying to get someone’s attention.”
“Uh, no,” he said.
A naked Gwyneth came into view. She looked like a redheaded Lady Godiva. “Who is it, Joe, honey?”
“Oh!” Konrad snapped to attention. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were…entertaining.”
Joe looked over his shoulder at Gwyneth and grinned. “It’s Konrad. I guess we were making too much noise.”
“Oh, my goodness! If Konrad could hear us, then Dottie probably can, bless her heart. She’ll be madder than a bottle full of bees.” Gwyneth came to the door, still naked and completely unabashed. “Thanks for lettin’ us know, Konrad. I wouldn’t want my research to get Joe into trouble.”
Konrad scratched his head. “Research? What kind of research?”
“Oh, it’s for my book. I’m writin’ erotica now.”
He raised his eyebrows.
Joe chuckled. “I’ve never been so happy to be someone’s research assistant before.”
Konrad couldn’t hold it in any longer and let out a booming laugh.
Gwyneth frowned and crossed her arms under her pale breasts. “I have to do somethin’ to pay the rent. I don’t have enough education to get a fancy job.”
Joe stepped out from behind the door and put his arm around her. He was wearing boxers, thank goodness. “You’re quite well educated in this field, sweetheart. You’ll make a fine erotica writer.”
“I know it was your idea, and I’m grateful and everything, but I still don’t spell worth a hoot.”
Joe stroked her shoulder. “You don’t need to know how to spell, these days. The computer will correct your spelling automatically. And anything you miss, your editor will catch.”
She inhaled. “I guess. At least I’m enjoyin’ the research part of it.” She giggled and pinched his nipple. “Now can we go back and finish it?”
Konrad stepped away from the door. “Hey, don’t let me stop you. I’m going out soon, anyway. Have fun, kids.”
“Oh, we will!” Gwyneth said and giggled.
***
Chad floated through the witches’ kitchen and eventually settled atop their refrigerator.
“Morgaine, you know I hate to complain, but…”
Morgaine laughed and continued stirring her soup. Chad had thought it was a potion bubbling in an iron pot on the stove, until she tasted it.
“Yeah, sure, Chad. I can’t remember you complaining about anything…in the last five minutes.”
“Oh, c’mon. I’m not that bad.”
“Whatever you say.” She turned off the gas and set the pot on one of the cool burners. “So what are you complaining about?”
“It’s your cousin.”
Morgaine was reaching into the cabinet for a bowl and hesitated. “Gwyneth? What could she be doing to bother you?”
“I’m afraid she’s going to break my roommate’s heart.”
Morgaine’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, she’s using him for sex in the name of research. I don’t know if he realizes that. I mean she’s been honest about it, but—”
“Wait a minute. You actually care about the feelings of someone else?”
“Huh? I didn’t mean that.” Chad floated over to the table and hovered by the chair Gwyneth usually used. “I’m afraid she’ll hurt him, and then he’ll move out, and no one will be working on my murder case anymore.”
Morgaine smirked. “That’s more like it. I was about to look out the window to see if I woke up in some alternate universe this morning.” She set her bowl of soup opposite him and made herself comfortable. She started eating, apparently not at all bothered about the disaster waiting to happen.
“Morgaine!”
She flinched. “What?”
“Aren’t you going to do something about it? Isn’t this against the Witch’s Rede or something?”
She shook her head. “The Rede says, ‘and it harm none, do what ye will.’”
“What the hell does that mean?”
She sighed deeply. “It means that if you’re not hurting anybody, you’re in the clear. Do whatever you want.”
“Well, what if she is hurting someone?”
“Like who?”
“Me.”
Morgaine shook her head and muttered, “So predictable.”
“Look, you may not want to take this seriously, but it could easily happen. She’s a beautiful young woman. He’s a horny old dude. Eventually she’ll find someone who really turns her on, and she’ll leave him.”
Morgaine ate her soup as if nothing could interest her less.
“Well? Are you going to talk to her about it?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I have better things to think about. I’m trying to solve a cold case using my skills as a medium.”
Chad levitated and crossed his arms. “The skill I taught you?”
She bit her lip. “Uh, yeah.”
“What’s the case? Maybe I can help.”
“I doubt it. I’m working with a ghost at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum. You don’t like to leave the building. Neither do I, for that matter. But do you think you could make it to the Fenway?”
“Weather permitting.”
“I wouldn’t want you to talk to Reginald, anyway.”
“Why not? I get along fine with other ghosts. Harold across the street and I would never have been friends in life, but now that we have something in common, we talk all the time.”
“Really? I didn’t know you two were so chummy.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say we’re best buds. We’re more like two dudes in the same life raft.” He chuckled. “I guess life isn’t the right word, but we’re both adrift.”
“What’s his story?”
“He just died in his sleep. Borrring. Not like my cool story of murder and intrigue.”
Morgaine rolled her eyes.
“What?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, why haven’t you gone into the light, now that your unfinished business is finished.”
“But it’s not.”
“Yes it is.”
“Look, all I know is—” Chad floated over her head toward the door. “Crap, the jig’s up. To be honest, I’d go if a beam of light appeared someday, but it hasn’t. I don’t think they want me on the other side.”
“Awww…I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to feel excluded.”
“I’ll bet you do. Just the way you present yourself would scare off most people. Are you trying to protect yourself? Were you traumatized at some point in your life?”
“What a crazy question! Of course I’m not trying to scare people, and I’ve never been t-traumatized.”
“You can’t fool me, Morgaine. How long have I known you? How many times have you left the apartment?”
“It’s the business. I have to be here to answer the phones.”
“Bullshit. You always send Gwyneth to do your shopping. I don’t think you’ve even left to see a dentist or a doctor.”
“I’m a witch. I can heal myself.”
“So you’re saying you’ve never thought about dating? That you can’t go out and meet real people, because you have to answer the phone if a horny dude calls?”
“No, I’m not saying that at all. I just…well, guys don’t find me attractive, that’s all.”
“Then give up the ’90s gothic look, already! Get a makeover. What are you, thirty?”
Morgaine crossed her arms and frowned. “You’re one to talk. You’re stuck in the ’60s! Complete with bell bottom pants and love beads.”
“I’m dead. What’s your excuse?”
Chad waited for her to speak, but she remained silent.
“Oh, don’t pout.”
“I wasn’t pouting. I was trying to think of a spell to shut you up.”
“The truth hurts, doesn’t it?”
“Goddess, please take pity on the spirit of Chad and help him pass over to the other side. If for the good of all, so mote it be.”
She waited a moment and then glanced around the apartment. “Chad?” She smiled. “Not very creative, but it might have worked.”
Hmm. Should I mess with her head by leaving her apartment without saying a word? He chuckled to himself. Hell, yes!
***
Roz heard a knock on her door and hurried over to it. It must be Konrad. They had to talk. For one thing, she didn’t want him fighting to protect her. Filing the complaint was the least aggressive way to go, and he didn’t want anything to do with it. Even before that, he had reacted badly before they’d exhausted diplomacy. What was going on with him?
She threw open the door and was surprised to see Morgaine standing there.
“Morgaine! What’s up?”
“Well, not me. Do you have a minute?”
“Sure. Come in.” Roz stood aside and let a hunched Morgaine amble over to the couch and flop onto it. “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”
“Yeah. Chad happened. I usually ignore his little digs, but I think he’s right this time.”
Roz sat beside her. “Oh? What did he say?”
“He said I’m stuck in the ’90s, and I need a makeover. I’ve noticed you have a good sense of style. I was wondering if you’d give me some ideas.”
Roz bolted upright. “Did you say a makeover? What fun! Sure, I’d love to help! When can we start?”
Morgaine chuckled. “I didn’t realize it was an emergency.”
Roz patted Morgaine’s hand. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just excited about the idea of a little girl time. Merry’s been in Florida, and I’ve missed doing the things we used to do together, like shopping.”
“In that case, we can go anytime you’re free. My schedule is flexible.”
“Are you getting anywhere with the art museum case?”
